SMART WIRELESS APPLICATIONS
Total Petrochemicals Monitors Condition of
Steam Cracker Boiler Using Emerson’s Smart
Wireless Technology
BENEFITS
•Improved availability through better understanding of
boiler condition
•Saved cost of installing around 1km of new wiring
•Increased safety due to reduction of movement of
personnel into and around at-risk areas
CHALLENGE
Total Petrochemicals, part of the TOTAL group, and the fifth largest
petrochemical company in the world wanted to introduce a number
of new temperature measurement points at its plant in Carling Saint
Avold, France to help them better understand the condition of a steam
cracker boiler and anticipate when it might need to be replaced. By
measuring the internal and external temperature of the boiler walls
and identifying heat loss, it is possible to calculate the material’s
resistance, infer its’ thickness and calculate changes over time.
The rising cost of copper and aging existing wiring (corrosion,
infiltration, armature degradation etc.) meant finding an alternative
method to carry data throughout the plant was becoming essential.
This non critical monitoring of the boiler walls presented an opportunity
to evaluate Emerson’s Smart Wireless technology on a large scale and
in a real industrial environment. The application would also enable the
company to determine the current limits of the wireless devices.
SOLUTION
The introduction of Smart Wireless temperature transmitters provides
the additional temperature measurement data required to calculate
changes in wall thickness of the boiler. Eight Rosemount® 648 wireless
temperature transmitters were installed directly onto the exterior of a
boiler drum situated fifty meters above the ground. An Emerson Smart
Wireless Gateway was positioned on the roof of a technical building
around 300m from the devices. Two additional temperature gauges
were installed in strategic areas between the boiler and the gateway to
provide sufficient coverage to the area and to enable supplementary
measuring points to be added in the future as required. Data from the
wireless transmitters is passed from the gateway to a third party DCS
system via Modbus.
For more information:
www.EmersonProcess.com/SmartWireless
“Finding alternative methods to
carry data throughout the plant
is becoming essential. We believe
in wireless technologies and
Emerson is a pioneer that is on
the right track to offer a solution
that meets our needs.”
Jerome Uszes
Electricity Control & Regulation Maintenance
Manager, Total Petrochemicals
SMART WIRELESS APPLICATIONS
RESULTS
From the control room, the operators have gained visibility of the
thermal status of the boiler walls allowing them to determine how the
internal (process) and external (climatic) conditions impact on the
material’s deterioration.
By installing a wireless solution to connect the additional measurement
points, Total Petrochemicals removed the need to install around 1km
of new wiring. An additional benefit of the solution has been the
reduction of movement of personnel into and around the at-risk areas.
“We were very pleased with
Emerson’s responsiveness with
regards to fulfilment times.
Delivery, installation and a
successful set up was completed
within just ten days of our order.”
Jean-Michel Glad
Control & Regulation Reliability Engineer,
Total Petrochemicals
©2009 Emerson Process Management. All rights reserved.
Emerson Process Management
12301 Research Blvd.
Research Park Plaza, Building III
Austin, TX 78759
USA
www.EmersonProcess.com
4-09
The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. Rosemount is a mark of one of the
Emerson Process Management family of companies. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
The contents of this publication are presented for information purposes only, and while effort has been made
to ensure their accuracy, they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express or implied, regarding
the products or service described wherein or their use or applicability. All sales are governed by our terms and
conditions, which are available on request. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications
of our products at any time without notice.